Last week, it felt as though the  California fire season for 2008 was well in the rear-view mirror.

What always seems to happen when a large controversial issue hits the news, massive confusion results and everyone relies on their ideological perspective to start criticizing those who have done wrong, or so they feel. People immediately jump in and blame the other side, then rich people, Congress, and whoever else they can get their hands on. It is better not to get too involved at that state because a lot of it turns out to be wrong or in some way off the mark.

In the hurly-burly of a presidential campaign, voters can get caught up in distractions from attack ads to zingers delivered during debates.

Dear editor, One cannot imagine a more absurd comedy than we now see in Congress. A monstrously irrational bill to bail out speculators in derivatives and home mortgages failed and has been sweetened by tax breaks that can only benefit those who created the mess in the first place. How is it possible that we elect people to Congress who allow such a catastrophic situation to develop and then try to posture themselves as coming to its rescue with solutions that can only make the situation worse?

Dear editor, Guy Kay, a dedicated public servant in the best sense of that word, is running for re-election to a spot on the Napa County Parks and Open Space Commission.

Dear editor, In response to your article, “Visitors bureau to start over,” on Oct. 1. As the owner of a tourist business in town — Napa Walking Tour — I am shocked and unhappy with the peremptory decision made by the newly named Napa Valley Destination Council. “Meet and greet” operations like the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau are a necessary element in an effective tourism program.

Dear editor, Measure P is on the November ballot. It extends Measure J for 50 years. I am pleased to be a member of the “older generation.” We older folks assume to know what is best for the future generations.

Dear editor, I concur with the comments by our elections official, John Tuteur, that the upcoming election is too important to be trifled with. Therefore, I hope he will take the steps necessary to see that all the votes are properly counted and reported on election day.

Barack Obama chose Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate ... what do you think of the choice?

(Editor's note: The comments on this crashed about 9:30 a.m Friday, right after McCain's announcement. We were able to rebuild most but not all of the comments)